Cables, systems and methods for wiring a structure for telephone service

ABSTRACT

A method for wiring an architectural structure for telephone service includes providing a cable. The cable includes a sheath and first and second pairs of conductor members. The sheath includes first and second longitudinally extending sheath passages and a partition wall extending therebetween. Each of the conductor members is twisted about the other conductor member of its pair. Each of the conductor members includes a conductor and an insulation cover. The first pair of conductor members is disposed in the first sheath passage and the second pair of conductor members is disposed in the second sheath passage such that the sheath surrounds the first and second pairs of conductor members and the first pair of conductor members is separated from the second pair of conductor members by the partition wall. The method further includes: routing the cable through the architectural structure; routing the cable to a telephone service supply connection; and electrically connecting at least the conductors of the first pair of conductor members to the telephone service supply connection.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cables, systems and methods for wiringand, more particularly, to cables and systems and methods for telephonewiring.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, architectural structures such as houses are wired fortelephone service using Residential Jack Terminating (RJT) wire or“house cable”. Such cable includes four conductor members each includinga conductor strand or wire and an insulation cover. The four conductormembers are all helically twisted with one another.

Generally, only two conductors of the RJT cable are used for eachcircuit (in some cases, more than one service can be provided over asingle pair of conductors). Thus, the first pair of conductors can beused to provide a first telephone service and the second pair ofconductors of the RJT cable can be used to provide a second telephoneservice. Commonly, the first conductor pair is used to provide atraditional analog telephone service for transmitting low frequency(e.g., 0-4000 KHz) audio signals (commonly referred to as plain oldtelephone service or POTS). The second conductor pair may be used toprovide a second POTS line or a digital or high frequency telephoneservice such as DSL. However, when the second conductor pair of the RJTcable is used in this manner, emissions from one conductor pair to theother may cause cross talk and line noise. In addition to beingannoying, the cross talk may interrupt data services and cause outages.Cables specifically designed to carry data services tend to be flimsyand subject to damage if not carefully handled or protected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to embodiments of the present invention, a method for wiringan architectural structure for telephone service includes providing acable. The cable includes a sheath and first and second pairs ofconductor members. The sheath includes first and second longitudinallyextending sheath passages and a partition wall extending therebetween.Each of the conductor members is twisted about the other conductormember of its pair. Each of the conductor members includes a conductorand an insulation cover. The first pair of conductor members is disposedin the first sheath passage and the second pair of conductor members isdisposed in the second sheath passage such that the sheath surrounds thefirst and second pairs of conductor members and the first pair ofconductor members is separated from the second pair of conductor membersby the partition wall. The method further includes: routing the cablethrough the architectural structure; routing the cable to a telephoneservice supply connection; and electrically connecting at least theconductors of the first pair of conductor members to the telephoneservice supply connection.

According to further embodiments of the present invention, a system forwiring an architectural structure for telephone service includes atelephone service supply connection and a cable. The cable includes asheath and first and second pairs of conductor members. The sheathincludes first and second longitudinally extending sheath passages and apartition wall extending therebetween. Each of the conductor members istwisted about the other conductor member of its pair. Each of theconductor members includes a conductor and an insulation cover. Thefirst pair of conductor members is disposed in the first sheath passageand the second pair of conductor members is disposed in the secondsheath passage such that the sheath surrounds the first and second pairsof conductors and the first pair of conductor members is separated fromthe second pair of conductor members by the partition wall. The cable isrouted through the architectural structure. The cable is routed to thetelephone service supply connection. At least the conductors of thefirst pair of conductor members are electrically connected to thetelephone service supply connection.

According to further embodiments of the invention, a cable includes aunitary, polymeric sheath and first and second pairs of conductormembers. The sheath includes first and second longitudinally extendingsheath passages and a partition wall extending therebetween. Each of theconductor members is twisted about the other conductor member of itspair. Each of the conductor members includes a conductor and aninsulation cover. The first pair of conductor members is disposed in thefirst sheath passage and the second pair of conductor members isdisposed in the second sheath passage such that the sheath surrounds thefirst and second pairs of conductors and the first pair of conductormembers is electrically insulated from the second pair of conductormembers by the partition wall.

According to still further embodiments of the invention, a cableincludes a sheath and first and second pairs of conductor members. Thesheath includes first and second longitudinally extending sheathpassages and a partition wall extending therebetween. Each of theconductor members is twisted about the other conductor member of itspair. Each of the conductor members includes a conductor and aninsulation cover. The first pair of conductor members is disposed in thefirst sheath passage and the second pair of conductor members isdisposed in the second sheath passage such that the sheath surrounds thefirst and second pairs of conductors and the first pair of conductormembers is separated from the second pair of conductor members by thepartition wall. The sheath has a rectangular cross-section.

According to still further embodiments of the invention, a cableincludes a sheath and first and second pairs of conductor members. Thesheath includes first and second longitudinally extending sheathpassages and a partition wall extending therebetween. Each of theconductor members is twisted about the other conductor member of itspair. Each of the conductor members includes a conductor and aninsulation cover. The first pair of conductor members is disposed in thefirst sheath passage and the second pair of conductor members isdisposed in the second sheath passage such that the sheath surrounds thefirst and second pairs of conductors and the first pair of conductormembers is separated from the second pair of conductor members by thepartition wall. The sheath includes a body portion formed of a firstmaterial and a longitudinally extending reinforcement member formed of asecond, rigid or semi-rigid material, wherein the second material ismore rigid than the first material.

The present invention will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill inthe art from a reading of the figures and the detailed description ofthe preferred embodiments which follow, such description being merelyillustrative of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features of the present invention will be more readily understoodfrom the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereofwhen read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable package including cableaccording to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, top-plan view of the cable of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a telephone service system according toembodiments of the present invention and including the cable of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged, cross-sectional view of the telephoneservice system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cable of FIG. 1 secured to awall by a staple; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a cable according tofurther embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodimentsof the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In thedrawings, the relative sizes of regions may be exaggerated for clarity.It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region orsubstrate is referred to as being “on” or “connected to” anotherelement, it can be directly on or directly connected to the otherelement or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, whenan element is referred to as being “directly on” or “directly connectedto” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

As used herein, “telephone service” means wired telecommunicationssignals provided by a telephone service provider to a subscriber, andmay include analog telephone signals (e.g., plain old telephone service(POTS)) and/or digital or broadband data signals.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cable 100 according to embodiments ofthe present invention is shown therein. The cable 100 may be wound on aspool 105 to form a package 101 as shown in FIG. 1. The cable 100 may beused as part of a telephone service system 10 for an architecturalstructure 20 as shown in FIG. 3, for example.

The cable 100 includes a flexible sheath 110. The sheath 110 is formedof an electrically insulative material. The sheath 110 includes a pairof continuous, longitudinally extending, parallel passages 112, 114formed therein. The passages 112, 114 terminate in end openings 112A,114A, respectively. The passages 112, 114 are surrounded by outer walls122, 124. The passages 112, 114 are further defined and separated fromone another by a longitudinally extending partition wall 120. Accordingto some embodiments and as illustrated in FIG. 1, the passages 112, 114are circular in cross-section.

According to some embodiments and as shown, the sheath 110 has a unitaryconstruction so that the partition wall 120 is integral with the walls124. According to some embodiments, the sheath 110 is continuouslyunitarily formed, meaning that the partition wall 120 and the outerwalls 122, 124 are formed by a selected process such that the sheath hasa unitary construction without subsequent joining of the parts thereof(e.g., by bonding, adhering, welding or the like). For example, thesheath 110 may be continuously unitarily formed by extruding the sheathas a single continuous element. Alternatively, the sheath may be molded,cast or machined as a single continuous element.

The sheath 110, including the partition wall 120, is formed of anon-metallic material. The sheath 110 is formed of a material that issufficiently flexible at operating conditions to allow winding andbending to facilitate routing. The sheath 110 may be formed of apolymeric material. For example, the sheath 110 may be formed ofpolymeric enamel, paper and oil, silicone rubber, polyvinyl chloride(PVC), polyethylene, polypropylene, and/or mixtures, blends andco-polymers thereof. According to some embodiments, the sheath 110 isformed of a material having a Young's modulus of less than 1 GPa, andaccording to further embodiments, less than 0.2 GPa. According to someembodiments, the sheath 110 is rectangular in cross-section as shown.

The cable 100 further includes a first conductor member pair 131 and asecond conductor member pair 133. The conductor member pair 131 includesconductor members 132, 134. The conductor member pair 133 includesconductor members 136, 138. Each of the conductor members 132, 134, 136,138 is an independently insulated wire including a respective conductor132A, 134A, 136A, 138A and a respective insulation cover 132B, 134B,136B, 138B.

The conductor members 132 and 134 are helically wound or twisted aboutor around one another and extend through the passage 112 and out throughthe opening 112A, as shown in FIG. 2. Similarly, the conductor members136 and 138 are helically wound or twisted about one another and extendthrough the passage 114 and out through the opening 114A, as shown inFIG. 2. According to some embodiments and as shown, neither of theconductor members 132, 134 is wound or twisted with or about either ofthe conductor members 136, 138 (i.e., the conductor members of one pairare not twisted about or with the conductor members of the other pair).

The conductor members 132, 134, 136, 138 may be formed by any suitablemeans. For example, the conductor members may be formed by extruding theinsulation covers 132B, 134B, 136B, 138B onto the conductors 132A, 134A,136A, 138A. The conductors 132A, 134A, 136A, 138A may each be a singlefilament or multiple strands that are twisted or untwisted. According tosome embodiments, the conductors 132A, 134A, 136A, 138A are formed ofcopper. According to some embodiments, the conductors have a gauge of atleast 26 AWG. According to some embodiments, the conductors have a gaugeof between about 19 and 26 AWG. The insulation covers 132B, 134B, 136B,138B may be formed of a polymeric material such as polymeric enamel,paper and oil, silicone rubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene,polypropylene, and/or mixtures, blends and co-polymers thereof.

According to some embodiments, the insulation covers 132B, 134B, 136B,138B are selectively colored in accordance with telephone service wiringconvention. In particular, the insulation cover 132B may be colored red,the insulation cover 134B may be colored green, the insulation cover136B may be colored yellow, and the insulation cover 138B may be coloredblack.

With reference to FIG. 1, according to some embodiments, the thickness Aof the partition wall 120 is at least 1 mm. According to furtherembodiments, the thickness A is between about 1 and 2 mm. According tosome embodiments, the thicknesses B and C of the walls 122 and 124 areat least 1 mm. According to some embodiments, the thicknesses B and Care between about 1 and 2 mm. According to some embodiments, thepassages 112, 114 are sized to allow substantially free movement of thetwisted conductor member pairs 131, 133 therein. According to someembodiments, the diameter D of the passages 112, 114 is at least 2 mm.According to some embodiments, the diameter D is between about 2 and 4mm.

According to some embodiments, the conductor members of the conductormember pairs 131 and 133 have a twist rate of at least 0.25 twists perinch. According to some embodiments, the twist rate is between about0.25 and 0.5 twists per inch. The conductor members of the conductormember pairs 131, 133 may be twisted in the same or opposite directions.The twist rate may be uniform along the length of the cable 100. Thesame twist rate may be used for both conductor member pairs 131, 133.

With reference to FIG. 3, a telephone service system 10 according toembodiments of the present invention is shown therein. The system 10includes a length of the cable 100 and serves to provide at least onetelephone service within the architectural structure 20 (which isschematically shown in FIG. 3). The architectural structure 20 may be,for example, a residence or house, a commercial building, or the like.

The telephone service system 10 includes a central office 30 which maybe operatively connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN)and the Internet (via an internet service provider (ISP), for example)or other data network. The central office 30 will typically include aswitch 30A connected to the PSTN and a transceiver 30B (e.g., a DSLAM)connected to the Internet or other data network.

The central office 30 may be connected to a remote terminal 34 by aconnector cable 31. The remote terminal 34 may include a power supplyand connectors. The remote terminal 34 may be proximate but spaced apartfrom the structure 20. The remote terminal 34 is operatively connectedto a junction box or network interface device (NID) 36 by a cable 35 orthe like. The cable 35 may include multiple lines. The network interfacedevice 36 is associated with and may be mounted on the structure 20. Forexample, the network interface device 36 may be secured to an exteriorwall of the architectural structure 20. The network interface device 36includes connectors 37, 38. Each of the connectors 37, 38 is connectedto a different line of the cable 35 from the remote terminal 34. Theremote terminal 34 may include connectors in addition to thosecorresponding to the connectors 37, 38. In other embodiments, thecentral office 30 is connected to the cable 35 without the remoteterminal 34.

Typically, the network interface device 36 will represent thedemarcation between the telephone service provider network (includingthe PSTN), on one side, and the in-home circuitry or subscriber loop orline, on the other side. The portion of the telephone service system 10on the telephone service provide network side of the network interfacedevice 36 is commonly owned by and the responsibility of the telephoneservice provider. The subscriber loop is commonly owned by and theresponsibility of the subscriber to the telephone service (e.g., thehomeowner). The network interface device 36 may be used for connectingnew service lines to the subscriber loop and for isolating thesubscriber loop from the main network to locate circuit defects.

The network interface device 36 is connected to a jack assembly 40 bythe cable 100. The cable 100 is routed through the architecturalstructure 20. The cable 100 serves as an intermediate structure orbuilding distribution cable. The cable 100 or a part thereof may berouted through a wall cavity 26 between wall facings of thearchitectural structure 20. For example, the wall cavity 26 may bedefined between the exterior wall 22 and an interior wall 24, or betweena pair of interior wall panels. Additionally or alternatively, the cable100 may be routed beneath a floor or over a ceiling of the architecturalstructure 20. The cable 100 may also be routed on an exposed wallsurface (i.e., on a wall surface opposite the wall surface facing thecavity 26). The system 10 may include additional drops or jacksconnected to the network interface device 36 directly or through thejack assembly 40 (i.e., in a daisy chain configuration).

As shown, the jack assembly 40 includes two jacks 42, 44. The jacks 42,44 are shown schematically and may be any suitable type of jack. Forexample, either or both of the jacks 42, 44 may be an RJ11, RJ21, orRJ45 jack, for example. As discussed below, in accordance with someembodiments, the jacks 42, 44 may be combined into a single jack.

The conductor member pair 131 is electrically connected to the connector37 (which serves as a first telephone service supply connector) of thenetwork interface device 36 on one end, and to the jack 42 on the otherend. The conductor member pair 133 is electrically connected to theconnector 38 (which serves as a second telephone service supplyconnector) of the network interface device 36 on one end, and to thejack 44 on the other end. As shown in FIG. 4, the conductors 132A, 134Aof the conductor members 132, 134 are electrically connected and securedto the jack 42 by posts 42A, 42B. Similarly, the conductors 136A, 138Aof the conductor members 136, 138 are electrically connected and securedto the jack 44 by posts 44A, 44A. Other types of connections may be usedto electrically connect and secure the conductor members 132, 134, 136,138 to the jacks 42, 44. Likewise, any suitable mechanism may be used tosecure the opposite ends of the conductor members 132, 134, 136, 138 tothe connectors 37, 38.

Suitable devices can be connected to either or both of the jacks 42, 44.For example, a terminal 50 capable of using a POTS signal may beconnected to the jack 42 by a plug and line 52. In this case, the jack42 is connected to the PSTN via the conductor member pair 131 (whichserve as tip wire and ring wire), the connector 37, the connection 35,the remote terminal 34, the line 31, and the central office 30 toprovide plain old telephone service (POTS). The terminal 50 may include,but is not limited to, a standard telephone, a low (voice) bandwidthmodem, and/or a facsimile machine.

A terminal 60 may be connected to the Internet or the like via theconductor member pair 133, the connector 38, the line 35, the remoteterminal 34, the line 31, and the central office 30 to provide digital,broadband or high frequency signal service (e.g., DSL or xDSL including,for example, ADSL, HDSL, ISDL, MSDL, RADSL, SDSL, VDSL, and/or VoDSL).The terminal 60 may be a transceiver which is in turn connected to acomputer 63 or the like, for example.

Alternatively, both of the terminals 50, 60 could be connected to arespective line of the PSTN, or to a respective non-PSTN line. Forexample, the terminal 60 could also be a standard telephone with theconductor member pair 133 connecting to a second telephone lineassociated with the PSTN to provide a POTS signal.

According to some embodiments, the jacks 42, 44 may be combined into asingle jack to which all four of the conductors 132A, 134A, 136A, 138Aare connected. A terminal capable of using both service lines may beconnected to the combined jack. Alternatively, a line 1/line 2 adaptermay be connected to the combined jack to allow one or two terminals toaccess the two lines separately.

The cable 100 and the system 10 and methods for forming the system 10according to embodiments of the present invention may provide a numberof advantages over conventionally employed cable, systems and methods.The partition wall 120 serves to partially or fully electricallyinsulate the conductor member pair 131 from the conductor member pair133 by means of the electrically insulative material and by maintainingthe spacing between and relative positions of the conductor member pairs131, 133. In this way, the partition wall 120 may separate the conductormember pairs 131, 133, thereby reducing or eliminating cross talkbetween the conductor member pairs 131, 133 and their associatedcircuits. The twisting of each pair 131, 133 may also serve to reducecross talk between the conductor members of a given pair.

The cable 100 may be cost effectively manufactured and installed. Theconductors of the cable 100 are well protected. The integral and unitaryconstruction of the sheath 110 can provide improved integrity anduniformity. In particular, the passages 112, 114 may serve as protectiveenclosures that inhibit or prevent crushing, crimping, etc., of thetwisted conductor member pairs which might otherwise occur duringinstallation of the telephone wiring. The cables, methods and systems ofthe present invention may simplify interior wiring for technicians andconsumers/subscribers and may improve the quality of service provided.

With reference to FIG. 5, the cable 100 can be secured to a mountingsurface such as a wall (e.g., the wall 24) using a fastener such as astaple 70. The corners 126 of the sheath 110 can generally complementthe interior corners 72 of the staple 70. In this manner, a goodsecurement of the cable 100 may be provided while reducing the risk ofcrushing the passages 112, 114 and the conductor member pairs 131, 133.Other types of fasteners may be used in addition to or as an alternativeto the staple 70 as shown.

According to further embodiments, the sheath 120 may be formed ofmultiple pieces that are subsequently joined by adhesive, welding, orthe like to form an integral sheath. According to further embodiments,the cable 100 may have a different cross-sectional shape thanrectangular. For example, the cable 100 may be oval or bi-lobal inshape. The cable may include exactly two conductor member pairs 131, 133as shown or, alternatively, may include more than two conductor memberpairs (each being twisted and housed in a respective sheath passage).

With reference to FIG. 6, a cable 200 according to further embodimentsof the present invention is shown therein. The cable 200 corresponds tothe cable 100 except as follows. The sheath 210 of the cable 200includes body portions 210A, 210B and a reinforcement member 250integral with the body portions 210A, 210B. The reinforcement member 250is positioned within and serves as a part of the partition wall 220. Thereinforcement member 250 extends longitudinally along the cable 200 andis formed of a more rigid material than the material of the bodyportions 210A, 210B (including the outer walls). According to someembodiments, the reinforcement member 250 is bonded, adhered orotherwise maintained in fixed relation with the body portions 210A,210B. The reinforcement member 250 may help to resist crushing of thepartition wall 220 and the passages 212, 214, thereby protecting theconductor member pairs 231, 233.

According to some embodiments, the reinforcement member 250 is formed ofan electrically insulative material. The reinforcement member 250 may beformed of a polymeric material such as a rigid or semi-rigid plastic.According to some embodiments, the reinforcement member 250 is formed ofPVC, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, ABS, polycarbonate,polyester, nylon, and/or mixtures, blends and co-polymers thereof.According to some embodiments, the reinforcement member 250 is formed ofa material having a Young's modulus of at least 1 GPa. According to someembodiments, the material of the reinforcement member 250 is at least50% stiffer than the material of the sheath body portions 210A, 210B.

The reinforcement member 250 may be a simple continuous plate or flatribbon extending perpendicular to the length-wise axis L-L and thewidth-wise axis W-W (i.e., the dimension extending perpendicular to theaxis L-L and directly through the passages 212, 214) of cable 200 asshown in FIG. 6 in order to provide improved cable side-to-sideflexibility. The plate-shaped reinforcement member 250 is positionedbetween and shaped to partition the passages 212, 214.

According to some embodiments and as shown, the sheath has across-sectional shape that is a rectangle with unequal sides and thereinforcement member 250 extends perpendicular to the smaller width ofthe sheath 210. In this way, when the sheath is laid flat against asurface on one of its broad sides, the reinforcement member 250 isperpendicular to the support surface to resist crushing of the sheath inthe direction of the support surface.

According to further embodiments, the reinforcement member 250 may beformed in a shape different than that in shown FIG. 6. For example, thereinforcement member 250 may not extend fully from the top surface tothe bottom surface of the sheath 210. The partition wall 220 and thereinforcement member 250 may be configured such that the reinforcementmember 250 defines a portion of one or both of the passages 212, 214.The reinforcement member 250 may constitute the entirety of thepartition wall between the passages 212, 214. The cross-sectional shapeof the sheath 210 may also be modified.

The cable 200 may be formed by any suitable technique. The reinforcementmember 250 may be co-extruded with the body portions 210A, 210B of thesheath 210. Alternatively, the reinforcement member 250 may be adheredto the body portions 210A, 210B. As a further alternative, thereinforcement member 250 may be preformed and the body portions 210A,210B of the sheath 210 may be extruded thereover.

According to some embodiments, the reinforcement member 250 has a widthE parallel to the axis W-W of the cable 200 of at least 0.5 mm.According to some embodiments, the width E is between about 0.5 and 1.5mm.

According to some embodiments, the partition wall (e.g., the partitionwall 120 or 220) and/or the reinforcement member may be formed of anelectrically conductive material such as a metal.

The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to beconstrued as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments ofthis invention have been described, those skilled in the art willreadily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplaryembodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of this invention. Therefore,it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of the presentinvention and is not to be construed as limited to the specificembodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosedembodiments, as well as other embodiments, are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the invention.

1. A method for wiring an architectural structure for telephone service,the method comprising: a) providing a cable including: a sheathincluding first and second longitudinally extending sheath passages anda partition wall extending therebetween; and first and second pairs ofconductor members, each of the conductor members being twisted about theother conductor member of its pair, each of the conductor membersincluding a conductor and an insulation cover; wherein the first pair ofconductor members is disposed in the first sheath passage and the secondpair of conductor members is disposed in the second sheath passage suchthat the sheath surrounds the first and second pairs of conductormembers and the first pair of conductor members is separated from thesecond pair of conductor members by the partition wall; b) routing thecable through the architectural structure; c) routing the cable to atelephone service supply connection; and d) electrically connecting atleast the conductors of the first pair of conductor members to thetelephone service supply connection.
 2. The method of claim 1 whereinneither of the conductor members of the first pair of conductor membersis twisted about either of the conductor members of the second pair ofconductor members.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the telephoneservice supply connection forms a part of a network interface deviceassociated with the architectural structure.
 4. The method of claim 1further including: routing the cable to a jack within the architecturalstructure; and electrically connecting at least the conductors of thefirst pair of conductor members to the jack.
 5. The method of claim 4further including electrically connecting a telephone to the jack. 6.The method of claim 4 further including electrically connecting theconductors of the second pair of conductor members to a second jack. 7.The method of claim 6 further including: routing the cable to a secondtelephone service supply connection; and electrically connecting theconductors of the second pair of conductor members to the secondtelephone service supply connection.
 8. The method of claim 6 whereinthe second telephone service supply connection is a broadband serviceconnection.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the sheath is formed of apolymeric material.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the partition wallis formed of an electrically insulative material.
 11. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the sheath is unitary.
 12. The method of claim 11wherein the sheath is continuously unitarily formed.
 13. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the sheath includes a body portion formed of a firstmaterial and a longitudinally extending reinforcement member formed of asecond, rigid or semi-rigid material, wherein the second material ismore rigid than the first material.
 14. The method of claim 13 whereinthe reinforcement member forms at least a part of the partition wall.15. The method of claim 1 wherein the sheath has a rectangularcross-section.
 16. The method of claim 1 further including the step ofsecuring the cable to the architectural structure using a fastener,wherein the fastener has a shape complementary to the shape of thesheath.
 17. The method of claim 1 wherein the insulation covers of thefirst pair of conductor members are red and green, respectively, and theinsulation covers of the second pair of conductor members are yellow andblack, respectively.
 18. A system for wiring an architectural structurefor telephone service, the system comprising: a) a telephone servicesupply connection; b) a cable including: a sheath including first andsecond longitudinally extending sheath passages and a partition wallextending therebetween; and first and second pairs of conductor members,each of the conductor members being twisted about the other conductormember of its pair, each of the conductor members including a conductorand an insulation cover; wherein the first pair of conductor members isdisposed in the first sheath passage and the second pair of conductormembers is disposed in the second sheath passage such that the sheathsurrounds the first and second pairs of conductors and the first pair ofconductor members is separated from the second pair of conductor membersby the partition wall; c) wherein the cable is routed through thearchitectural structure; d) wherein the cable is routed to the telephoneservice supply connection; and e) wherein at least the conductors of thefirst pair of conductor members are electrically connected to thetelephone service supply connection.
 19. The system of claim 18including a network interface device mounted on the architecturalstructure, and wherein the telephone service supply connection forms apart of the network interface device.
 20. The system of claim 18 furtherincluding a jack within the architectural structure, and wherein: thecable is routed to the jack; and at least the conductors of the firstpair of conductor members are electrically connected to the jack. 21.The system of claim 18 wherein the sheath is formed of a polymericmaterial.
 22. The system of claim 18 wherein the sheath is unitary. 23.The system of claim 18 wherein the sheath includes a body portion formedof a first material and a longitudinally extending reinforcement memberformed of a second, rigid or semi-rigid material, wherein the secondmaterial is more rigid than the first material.
 24. A cable comprising:a) a unitary, polymeric sheath including first and second longitudinallyextending sheath passages and a partition wall extending therebetween;and b) first and second pairs of conductor members, each of theconductor members being twisted about the other conductor member of itspair, each of the conductor members including a conductor and aninsulation cover; c) wherein the first pair of conductor members isdisposed in the first sheath passage and the second pair of conductormembers is disposed in the second sheath passage such that the sheathsurrounds the first and second pairs of conductors and the first pair ofconductor members is electrically insulated from the second pair ofconductor members by the partition wall.
 25. The cable of claim 24wherein the sheath is continuously unitarily formed.
 26. The cable ofclaim 24 wherein the sheath includes a body portion formed of a firstmaterial and a longitudinally extending reinforcement member formed of asecond, rigid or semi-rigid material, wherein the second material ismore rigid than the first material.
 27. A cable comprising: a) a sheathincluding first and second longitudinally extending sheath passages anda partition wall extending therebetween; and b) first and second pairsof conductor members, each of the conductor members being twisted aboutthe other conductor member of its pair, each of the conductor membersincluding a conductor and an insulation cover; c) wherein the first pairof conductor members is disposed in the first sheath passage and thesecond pair of conductor members is disposed in the second sheathpassage such that the sheath surrounds the first and second pairs ofconductors and the first pair of conductor members are separated fromthe second pair of conductor members by the partition wall; and d)wherein the sheath has a rectangular cross-section.
 28. A cablecomprising: a) a sheath including first and second longitudinallyextending sheath passages and a partition wall extending therebetween;and b) first and second pairs of conductor members, each of theconductor members being twisted about the other conductor member of itspair, each of the conductor members including a conductor and aninsulation cover; c) wherein the first pair of conductor members isdisposed in the first sheath passage and the second pair of conductormembers is disposed in the second sheath passage such that the sheathsurrounds the first and second pairs of conductors and the first pair ofconductor members are separated from the second pair of conductormembers by the partition wall; and d) wherein the sheath includes a bodyportion formed of a first material and a longitudinally extendingreinforcement member formed of a second, rigid or semi-rigid material,wherein the second material is more rigid than the first material. 29.The cable of claim 28 wherein the partition wall is formed of anelectrically insulative material and the first pair of conductor membersis electrically insulated from the second pair of conductor members bythe partition wall.
 30. The cable of claim 28 wherein the reinforcementmember forms at least a part of the partition wall.